ENGINEERS are set to carry out a £350,000 gas main repair project in Todmorden which could bring traffic chaos to the town.

Two kilometres of gas main running underneath Halifax Road is due to be replaced when works starts on Monday July 21.

Mark Chapman of Transco said: "This is essential work as it will enable us to maintain the gas pipes underneath Halifax Road, so local people can continue to enjoy the benefits of a safe and reliable gas pipeline system."

Work will initially start on the west bound carriageway in the centre of Todmorden for one month from St Mary's Church roundabout to the junction of Union Street South and Halifax Road.

The work will then continue out of the town centre until it reaches Castle Hill Junior and Infants School.

Mr Chapman added: "Unfortunately with any work of this type, there will be some disruption, but we will do our upmost to ensure this is minimised and the project is completed safely and in the shortest time possible.

"Once the new plastic pipeline is underground, it is unlikely that local people will see us carrying out roadworks on this main for many decades to come."

With the exception of the town centre, temporary traffic lights will be installed where engineers are working.

Work in the centre of Todmorden will mean installing traffic lights on St Mary's Church roundabout and filtering traffic through the town centre on the east bound carriageway.

And some roads are due to close while work is being carried out.